Wilsele

{{Short description|Sub-municipality of the city of Leuven, Belgium}}

{{Infobox settlement

|name = Wilsele

|native_name =

|settlement_type = Sub-municipality of Leuven

|image_skyline = City hall Wilsele Leuven.jpg

|image_caption = Former town hall

|image_flag =

|image_shield = Wilsele.jpg

|image_map = {{hidden|Location of Wilsele|{{Infobox mapframe|area_km2={{{area km2|}}}}}}}

|image_map1 = Wilsele Leuven Location.png

|map_caption1 = Location of Wilsele in Leuven

|pushpin_map = Belgium#Belgium Flemish Brabant

|subdivision_type = Country

|subdivision_name = {{BEL}}

|subdivision_type1 = Community

|subdivision_name1 = {{BE-NL}}

|subdivision_type2 = Region

|subdivision_name2 = {{flag|Flemish Region}}

|subdivision_type3 = Province

|subdivision_name3 = {{BE-VBR}}

|subdivision_type4 = Arrondissement

|subdivision_name4 = Leuven

|subdivision_type5 = Municipality

|subdivision_name5 = Leuven

|coordinates = {{coord|50|54|00|N|4|42|00|E|region:BE|display=inline,title}}

|area_total_km2 = 8.94

|population_as_of = 2020-01-01

|population_total = 9892

|population_density_km2 = auto

|postal_code_type = Postal codes

|postal_code = 3012

|area_code_type = Area codes

|area_code = 016

|website =

}}

File:-200230-Parochiekerk Sint-Martinus met beschermd orgel.jpg

Wilsele ({{IPA|nl|ˈʋɪlsələ}}) is a sub-municipality of the city of Leuven located in the province of Flemish Brabant, Flemish Region, Belgium. It was a separate municipality until 1977. On 1 January 1977, it was merged into Leuven.{{Cite web |title=LISTE ALPHABETIQUE DES COMMUNES - Fusions de 1963 à 1977 |url=https://doc.statbel.fgov.be/publications/M000.03/M000.03FN_Comm_Gem_1963-1977.pdf}}

The Canal Leuven-Dijle which runs from Leuven to Mechelen passes through Wilsele and separates this part of Leuven into two parts: Wilsele-Dorp (Wilsele-Village) and Wilsele-Putkapel. Due to the physical separation, both parts have gone their own way for many years. Only recently Leuven has opened a bridge over the canal.

The central area of Wilsele is situated between Wilsele-Dorp and Wilsele-Putkapel. There is a partial town hall, subsidiary site of the city library and police, as well as a sports and cultural centre. Also the presence of the Centrumstraat (Centre Street) opposite to the town hall is a witness of the past of this part as the village centre.

Part of Wilsele is located on the Keizersberg ("Emperor's Hill") or Boellenberg. The Keizersberg is the site of a beautiful abbey.{{cite web|url=http://www.keizersberg.be/|title=Abdij Keizersberg|publisher=}} The abbey houses many students from Leuven.